Christmas Stories

Fictional Stories

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: This classic novella tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man, who undergoes a transformation after being visited by three Christmas spirits. It is a tale of redemption and the true meaning of Christmas.

2. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: This short story follows a young married couple, Jim and Della, who make sacrifices to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts despite their financial hardship.

3. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore: Also known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas," this poem is a timeless classic that describes Santa Claus's visit on Christmas Eve.

4. The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen: This poignant story tells the tale of a poor young girl who sells matches on a cold winter's night and experiences a touching, otherworldly encounter.

5. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: This children's book follows a young boy who embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, where he learns about the spirit of Christmas.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss: In this whimsical tale, the Grinch tries to steal Christmas from the residents of Whoville but learns the true meaning of the holiday in the process.

7. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann: This story inspired the famous ballet "The Nutcracker." It tells of a young girl's adventure with a Nutcracker prince on Christmas Eve.

8. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs: A beautifully illustrated picture book without words, "The Snowman" tells the story of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him on a magical journey.

9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May: This story introduced the character of Rudolph, a reindeer with a bright red nose, who becomes a hero on Christmas Eve.

10. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: While not exclusively a Christmas story, it's often associated with the holiday. It tells the tale of a stuffed rabbit who longs to become real.

11. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans: This novel explores the themes of love and loss as a family discovers the meaning of Christmas through a mysterious box.

12. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson: A humorous and heartwarming story about a group of unruly children who take over the annual Christmas pageant and bring a fresh perspective to the Nativity story.

13. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere: This novel follows the lives of two people who cross paths during the holiday season, leading to a powerful and emotional Christmas message.

14. The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg: A delightful children's book that follows the adventures of the Jolly Postman as he delivers letters to beloved fairy tale characters on Christmas Eve.

15. The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain: In this children's story, the Berenstain Bears learn the true meaning of Christmas when their holiday tree is threatened.

These Christmas stories capture the spirit of the holiday season, from themes of love and giving to tales of magical adventures and rediscovering the joy of Christmas. They are enjoyed by readers of all ages and have become treasured classics in many households.

True Stories

There are many true stories and historical events associated with Christmas. These stories vary widely in theme and content but are all rooted in real events and experiences related to the holiday season. Enjoy the following:

The Birth of Jesus Christ: A significant event in Christian theology and is described in the Bible in the New Testament. It is commonly recounted in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph.

The Christmas Truce of 1914: This event during World War I saw soldiers from opposing sides cease hostilities, exchange gifts, and even play soccer together in the spirit of Christmas.

The Christmas Eve Apollo 8 Broadcast: In 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts became the first humans to orbit the moon. On Christmas Eve, they delivered a live broadcast back to Earth, reading from the Book of Genesis and sharing messages of peace and goodwill to all mankind.

The Christmas Ship Rouse Simmons: In 1912, a schooner named the Rouse Simmons, known as the "Christmas Ship," sank in Lake Michigan while delivering Christmas trees to Chicago. The shipwreck and the tradition of delivering Christmas trees to the city are remembered each year.

The Miracle on 34th Street: While the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" is fictional, it was inspired by real events, including the involvement of the U.S. Postal Service in answering children's letters to Santa Claus.

Operation Christmas Drop: This is an annual tradition where the U.S. Air Force drops supplies and gifts to residents of remote Pacific islands. It has been ongoing since 1952 and continues to bring holiday cheer to those in need.

The Christmas Flood of 1964: This devastating flood occurred in the Pacific Northwest of the United States during Christmas week in 1964. It remains one of the most significant natural disasters in the region's history.

Check out Rudolph's Favorites: 22 of the best Christmas Songs & Carols for Beginner Guitarists - Well-suited for beginners as most of the chords are very easy to play with only a few exceptions.